Barasch & McGarry - Lawyers for the 9/11 Community

9/11 responders and survivors are still at risk of cancer and respiratory illness. Congress has a responsibility to fully fund the World Trade Center Health Program. #Congress #Senate #houseofrepresentatives #neverforget

Today is National First Responders Day To the firefighters, the police officers, the EMTs, the paramedics, the fire inspectors – to all of you who keep us safe, day after day – thank you for everything you do. As much as you do you to protect us, you need to protect yourselves, too. Please be each other’s advocate, so all 9/11 responders get the health care and compensation they deserve.

At a Retiree Seminar with more than 1,000 members of the Uniformed Fire Officers Association, the Barasch & McGarry - Lawyers for the 9/11 Community team shared information with members about their eligibility for pension benefits based on 9/11-related cancers and other illnesses. Joined by Partners Sara Director and Lee London, as well as Barbara Mohan, Bridget E. Gormley, and Michael O’Connell from Barasch & McGarry - Lawyers for the 9/11 Community, Managing Partner Michael Barasch noted that the firm has advocated for first responders for nearly three decades, and now represents more than 10,000 FDNY members with 9/11-related health conditions. “If you are forced into retirement by a 9/11-related illness or injury, you deserve to collect 100% of the pension you earned on the job,” Barasch said. “We have helped hundreds of fire officers and firefighters protect their right to financial security after a line-of-duty disability.”

Michael Barasch joined Voices Center for Resilience to discuss Barasch & McGarry - Lawyers for the 9/11 Community’s work on behalf of more than 40,000 9/11 responders and survivors who have been diagnosed with cancer and other illnesses. “For the people who were exposed to toxins in Lower Manhattan, at the Pentagon, and near the Flight 93 crash site in Shanksville, 9/11 didn’t end on 9/11,” Barasch said. “23 years later, more 9/11 community members are diagnosed with any of 69 different types of cancer every single day.” If you were in the toxic exposure zones, he added, you should register with 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund as soon as possible – even if you are currently healthy. “You don’t want to have to prove your presence AFTER a cancer diagnosis,” he said.

Today would have been the 59th birthday of NYPD Detective and 9/11 hero Luis G. Alvarez. His testimony persuaded Congress to establish permanent compensation benefits for 9/11 responders and survivors with cancer or respiratory illness and their families. We will never forget Detective Alvarez’s legacy of service to the people of New York City and the entire 9/11 community.

Let’s Go Mets! As the National League Championship Series returns to Citi Field, Michael Barasch remembers his New York Mets debut in 2022, when he threw the ceremonial first pitch to 9/11 responder and advocate John Feal on Law Enforcement Appreciation Night. Perhaps inspired by Barasch's opening pitch – a strike – or more likely due to a game-winning hit by Pete Alonso in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Mets defeated the Rockies that night, 7 to 6. It was the perfect ending to a special day. We’re all cheering for the Amazin's tonight!

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9/11 didn't end on 9/11. Anyone who was in Lower Manhattan between 9/11 and May 2002 has a dramatically higher risk of 69 different types of cancer. If you were there, register today.

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